Seiko has upped the ante with its latest concoction, with the new Presage Cocktail Time STAR BAR Limited Edition pieces. Available now in very limited quantities on Watch Depot.
Drawing inspiration from the original cocktails of one of the world’s leading bartenders, Mr. Hisashi Kishi, these new watches are symbolic of the two worlds of artistry and craftsmanship, where tradition and exuberance meet. Each reference is representative of a famous cocktail that Mr. Kishi has designed and created, and each model was crafted using those cocktails’ unique virtues in some way. A combination of soft creams, deep reds, rich golds and everything in between make for a scintillating pair of Seiko Presage watches.
Both models evoke the exciting nature of the city of Tokyo, of which Mr. Hisashi Kishi’s STAR BAR has been creating tantalizing and award-winning cocktails since its inception. STAR BAR has made Asia’s 50 Best Bars list three times since it opened. Interestingly enough, Mr. Hisashi Kishi’s approach to the art of cocktail making is quite unique, where he offers his guests an experience like no other. He has trained his bartenders to create drinks around the guests’ requests and preferences, where even the smallest details, like the ice being slow-frozen to reduce bubbles, are apparent and diligently tended to.
Each model has been created to evoke traditional yet lively and exuberant Tokyo cityscape, where one is light and bright, the other provides a contrast with a deep crimson hue, a depiction of the city’s breathtaking visual dimensions.
The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time STAR BAR Limited Edition reference SSA455 is inspired by Mr. Kishi’s famous bitters-based white cocktail, the ‘Illumine’. Like the drink, the SSA455 features a similar off-white colour coupled with a cloudy dial texture. The SSA455 also features another focal point, that semi-open working. Created in a ripple effect originating from where the balance wheel is placed, this gives off the visual of looking down at the ripples in the liquid of the cocktail, where the parting of the cloudy dial gives way to the rich gold of the movement. This interesting effect is all encased in 40.50mm of stainless steel and is coupled with a beautifully architecture crown.
Next up is the darker Seiko Presage Cocktail Time STAR BAR Limited Edition model, reference SSA457. This model is based on Mr. Kishi’s ‘Red Brick’ cocktail. It is a beautiful combination of colours like crimson, dark-reds, maroons and golds, with the same wave-like ripple effect stemming from the balance wheel. This model is the deeper, darker and more involving model of the two, with a colour palette that is very much reminiscent of sitting in a bar sipping a cocktail in the middle of the night.
Like the reference SSA455, the reference SSA457 has a 40.50mm stainless steel case, along with that ornate crown. While the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time STAR BAR Limited Edition reference SSA455 comes with a black leather strap and off-white stitching to match the silver hands and hour markers on the dial, the darker reference SSA457 comes on a brown leather strap with dark brown stitching, matching the gold-toned hands and hour markers.
Both of these Seiko watches are powered by Seiko’s new caliber 4R72. This is an automatic movement with a power reserve of 41-hours. It’s an interesting movement in that it is gold-toned, which pairs well with either dial option and adds the opulent mystique of the watch, and is partly visible through the open cuts in the dials. You can also see the movement through the open case back, where you can also see the words “Limited Edition” inscribed on the case, as well as the serial number of the watch.
The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time STAR BAR Limited Edition models are both limited to only 5,000 pieces each. Available now in very limited quantities on Watch Depot so get in quick.
